All of the films we select for the festival come from the open submission process. We believe this is really important. The only way to get your film shown at the festival is to submit via one of the below platforms.

The categories for the Nottingham International Film Festival are...

UK NARRATIVE FEATURES

We are looking for the best in British Independent Cinema. Inventive, bold and original stories set in the UK, by a UK director or featuring a majority British cast. All features must have a run time of over 60 minutes.

INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES

We are looking for the best in International Independent Cinema. Inventive, bold and original stories that can be set anywhere in the world and in any language, all we ask is that there are English subtitles if English is not the main language in the film . All features must have a run time of over 60 minutes.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

Thought provoking, insightful and educational the best documentaries challenge our perceived view on the world and enlighten us with a new perspective. Documentary features must be over 59 minutes in length and can be from any country.

UK SHORTS

We are looking for the best short films from the UK. They can be from exciting new talent or industry veterans using the medium to tell a great story. Shorts must have a run time of between 1 and 59 minutes.

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS

We are looking for the best short films from around the world. They can be from exciting new talent or industry veterans using the medium to tell a great story. Shorts must have a run time of between 1 and 59 minutes.

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

Thought provoking, insightful and educational the best documentaries challenge our perceived view on the world and enlighten us with a new perspective. Documentary shorts must have a run time of between 1 and 59 minutes and can be from any country.

EXPERIMENTAL FILMS

We are looking for films that have a bold and original style in either visuals or storytelling. Films can be any run time - short or feature.

MUSIC VIDEOS

A great music video not only enhances the music it represents but never again lets you just hear the music our ideal music video is no more than 10 minutes in length.Can be for independent or established artist.

STUDENT FILMS

There are some amazing film schools around the world with great talent producing some exceptional films. Student films can be from any country and can be narrative, documentary or animated. All we ask is that if the film is in a language other than English it needs to be subtitled in English

ANIMATION

We are looking for great stories inventively told through animations. Animations can be of any run time, short or feature.

UNCOMMISSIONED SCREENPLAY

Getting your screenplay into the hands of industry professionals can be tricky. That's why we decided to open this category. We take the best screenplays and present them to a panel of industry experts who finally decide on the category winner. Any original screenplay of any length.

2017 SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

Please submit early to save on our submission fees. Your online screener must be ready for viewing by the following dates to meet the respective deadline:

23rd November 2016: Super Early Deadline11th January 2017: Early Deadline22nd March 2017: Regular Deadline20th June 2017: Late Deadline18th July 2017: Extended DeadlineAugust 1st 2017: Final Deadline

Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow is as follows:

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

All films must have been completed after the 1st of January 2015 and not received more than 50% of their funding from a studio or broadcaster.All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles. These must either be hard coded or supplied as a subtitle file one month prior to the festival.While we do not require premiere status for films to be eligible for the festival, special consideration will be given to films that are at least a UK Premiere.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN NOTTIFF:

I have read and accept the terms and regulations of NOTTIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorize the NOTTIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during the 2017 festival (6th to 8th of October 2016 tbc). I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the NOTTIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold NOTTIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to NOTTIFF the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2017 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2017 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify NOTTIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.